IB Newsletter - Alexander Mackenzie High School April 2026
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Hope you are doing well. In this newsletter, you will find some relevant information and updates about our IB program at AMHS.
For DP1 and DP2 students - Mark alignment after IB results are published
As you may know, due to the nature of the IB curriculum, the pace of IB courses is rigorous and accelerated. We believe that students should not be placed at an academic disadvantage as a result of taking courses that are both fast-paced and enriched. For this reason, all IB schools in Ontario use an established process known as mark alignment.
The mark alignment process exists to fairly translate IB results—graded on an international 1–7 scale—into the Ontario percentage grades used for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Because the International Baccalaureate uses rigorous, externally moderated assessments that differ from Ontario’s teacher-based evaluation system, mark alignment ensures that IB students are neither disadvantaged nor unfairly advantaged when applying to universities. It helps maintain equity with non-IB students, reflects the rigor of IB courses, and provides a consistent and standardized basis for admissions decisions across Ontario.
After DP1 and DP2 students write their IB subject exams in May, their official IB results are released in July. Each IB level corresponds to a specific range of percentage grades. For example, a Level 6 typically corresponds to a final mark in the range of 93–96%.
Once the IB results are available, schools use a standardized alignment chart to adjust final course marks, based on both the IB level achieved and the student’s June report card mark. These adjusted marks are then finalized and updated in September of the following school year.
Exam schedule - Below is the exam schedule for DP1 and DP2 students. As mentioned previously, these exam dates are determined by IB and we are not able to accommodate requests to reschedule exams to a different date or time. We kindly ask that families make every effort to ensure students are available on their scheduled exam dates. Please note that missing an IB exam may impact a student’s ability to earn the IB Diploma, which they have worked very hard toward.
Gr. 11 (DP1) Students:
Gr. 12 (DP2) Students:
Note 1: Students will be writing exams on May 4 (PA Day) and May 18 (Victoria Day). More information regarding the logistics for these two days will be shared soon.
Note 2: During the exam period, regular attendance procedures will continue to be followed. For example, on exam days, attendance will still be taken for any classes outside of scheduled exam times. If your child will be studying at home outside of their exam schedule, please follow the standard attendance reporting procedure by emailing alexandermackenziehs.attendance@yrdsb.ca with the relevant information.
Thank you for your attention and continued support of the IB Programme at AMHS. If there are any specific questions about the IB program, please contact me directly by phone or Email.
Benjamin Law (benjamin.law@yrdsb.ca)
IB Coordinator, Alexander Mackenzie High School, York Region District School Board
905-884-0554 ext 419